Particulate material mixing machine

ABSTRACT

A particulate material mixing machine having a rotatable open ended drum with scoops attached thereto to elevate material within a stationary hood enclosing the drum open end and material received from a stationary hopper within the drum. Drum mechanism elevates material and directs it into the hopper, a baffle attached to the hood blocking any substantial flow of material from the drum to the scoops except that which passes through the hopper. A hood discharge chute receives material elevated by the scoops. The scoops are stationary relative the drum in one embodiment and in the other some of the scoops are pivotable. The drum has front inclined troughs for directing material in a direction away from the hood and rear inclined troughs for directing material in the opposite direction.

United States Patent 3,338,559 8/1967 Phillips 259/3 Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts Attorney-Dugger, Peterson, Johnson and Westman ABSTRACT: A particulate material mixing machine having a rotatable open ended drum with scoops attached thereto to elevate material within a stationary hood enclosing the drum open end and material received from a stationary hopper within the drum. Drum mechanism elevates material and directs it into the hopper, a baffle attached to the hood blocking any substantial flow of material from the drum to the scoops except that which passes through the hopper. A hood discharge chute receives material elevated by the scoops. The scoops are stationary relative the drum in one embodiment and in the other some of the scoops are pivotable. The drum has front inclined troughs for directing material in a direction away from the hood and rear inclined troughs for directing material in the opposite direction.

5 n i I PATENTEU JAN 5197i SHEET E OF 4 HNN HKM mm INVENTOR. (7/6205? E. P/l/ll/PS flrram/a s PATENTEU JAN 5197! SHEET 3 BF 4 mmu 1 PARTICULA'IE MATERIAL MIXING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A particulate material mixing machine having a stationary 'hood enclosing the one end of a rotary drum, said drum and hood having cooperating mechanisms for feeding material from the hood into the drum and alternately discharging material from the drum through the hood discharge chute.

With types of material such as starch and fertilizer, material has backed up against the seal between the hood and drum of the machines disclosed in my U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,259,372 and 3,269,707 granted Jul. 5, 1966 and Aug. 30, 1966 respectively, resulting in undue wearing of the seal between the drum and hood. Also, in the pivotal mounted scoop embodiment of U.S. Pat. .No. 3,269,707, at times when the machine is stopped in a partially emptied condition, the drum will rotate opposite the direction of normal rotation due-to the weight of material being elevated by the scoops and result in damage to the scoops. In order to solve problems of theabove mentioned nature as well as obtain other advantages, this invention has been made.

SUMMARY OF THE INYENTION The invention is directed to providing structure attached to a fixed hood for blocking any substantial flow of material in the rotary drum into the path of movement of the lower scoops attached to the drum and .a'.-stationary hopper for receiving material from the drum and discharging the material into the path of movement of the' scoops at a location intermediate the upper and lowermost scoops in the normal direction of rotation of the drum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 2-2 of FIG. 1 and 2-2 of FIG. 3 with a central portion broken away, said view more clearly illustrating the mechanism for transferring material in the stationary hood into the rotary drum and for positively conveying the material to a substantial elevation where it is selectively discharged or permitted to descend to the general level of the material in the drum and also the structure for causing the material in the drum to be more thoroughly mixed and directed into the transfer mechanism;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view generally taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 3-3 of FIG. 4 to more fully illustrate the transfer mechanism including mechanism for controlling the discharge of material, portions of said view being broken away at various axial positions to more fullyillustrate other portions of the transfer mechanism;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view generally taken along the line and in the direction of arrows-4-4 of FIG. 3, the control door being shown in the solid lines in a position for preventing flow of material into the discharge chute, and in dotted lines for permitting material elevated by the scoops .to descend into said chute;

FIG. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view generally taken along the line and in the direction of arrows 5-5 of FIG. 6 to illustrate the second embodiment of the particulate material mixing machine of this invention, parts being broken away at various axial positions whereby most of the mixing blades, spider and adjacent scoop mounting flange structure and rear portion of the sump are not shown;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, vertical longitudinal cross-sectional rows 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a somewhat diagrammatic view generally taken along the line and in the direction ofthe arrows 7-7 of FIGS. 2 and 8 to illustrate the mixing troughs,- i

FIG. 8 is a vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view plane perpendicular to the web portionof the trough and the I direction of elongation of said web portiong'i 1 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRE I J QDIMENT Referring in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereisillustra'ted a perspective view and a longitudinal horizontal cross-sectional view of the particulate material mixing machinefgenerally designated 10, .of the first embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 10 includes a large cylindrical drum 11 having a tubular outer wall 12 and a rear end' wall '13 mounted to revolve on its axis and supported on a shaft 21. The shaft 21 at-eithe'r axial end is mounted on appropriate portions of the frame members of the frame generally designated 14, by mounting members 24.

There is provided a stationary hood, generally designated 15, having a tubular outer wall 16 and a stationary end wall 17, the tubular outer wall 16 being of a 'substantiallylarg'er diameter than tubular wall 12 and concentrically located relative tothe front axial end-portion of the drum. As mayvbe noted from FIGS. 2 and 4,'a portion of a tubular wall l6overlays a portionof. the tubular drum wall/Extending axially through the drum and at one end'projec'ting' through theend wall 13 and at the opposite end through the end wall 17 'is the shaft 21. Rotatably mounted on th ej's'haftadjacentth'e end wall 17 is a mounting member 28. A plurality of radial spider members 26 at their one ends are fixedly-connected to the member 28 and at the opposite ends to drum wall 12. The-adjacent edges of the spider members may alsofbe welded to the drum end wall 13. At the opposite axial endjof the drum' wall 12 there is provided a plurality of radially extending spidermembers 27 that at the one ends are welded to the annular me'mbers 29 which mounts said spider members '27 on the shaft and at the opposite ends are welded to thedru'm wall l2.'As may be noted from FIG. 4, the spider members 27 are located .a substantial distance axially rearwardly of'the hood end wall 17. If shaft 21 is stationary as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,269,707, then members 28, 29 are bearing members while if the shaft is rotatably mounted then members 28, 29 maybe welded to the shaft. I

' An annular mounting flange 32 is .welded to the forward edge of the tubular wall 12. The outer diameter of the flange 32 is slightly less than the inner diameter of the hood tubularwall 16; and the inner diameter is substantially larger than the maximum diameter of member 29 but substantially less than the inner diameter of the drum tubular wall 12. Thus member 29 and flange 32 provide an annular opening 31, other thanfor spider members 27, to permit axial movement of material into and out of the confines of the drum tubular wall.

Referring to FIG. 4, it is to be noted that the hood has an in-' wardly extending annular flange 16a located axially opp'osite opening 39'is located at a lower elevation than the lower-most portion of the tubular drum wall. In orderto permit particulate material being moved through the chute 38 and port 39',

and thence transferred into the tubular drum housing while the said drum housing is rotating and at the-same time to selectively permit discharge of material, there is providedl tlie transfer mechanism generally designated 50 that includes control mechanism which will be described hereinafter.

The transfer mechanism includes the aforementioned annular mounting flange 32 and a second annular mounting flange 51 that has substantially the same inside and outside diameters as that of flange 32. Mounting flange 51 is fixedly attached to flange 32 and retained in axial spaced relationship by the structure to be described hereinafter. However, at this time it is to be noted that the mounting flange 51 is retained axially adjacent the hood end wall as shown in FIG. 4 and that it is of a greater radial dimension than the maximum radial distance to the lower edge of the inlet port 39. Further the inner peripheral edge of flange 51 is located radially more adjacent the shaft 21 than any portion of the peripheral edge of port 39. In order to permit the flow of the material from port 39 onto the hood tubular wall in the space axially between the flanges 32 and 51, flange 51 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced cutouts 52.

A plurality of scoop members 54 are welded at axially opposite edges to flanges 32 and 51 respectively in circumferentially spaced relationship to extend completely around the circumference of the hood within the confines of said hood. As may be noted from FIG. 3, each of the scoops is arcuate in transverse cross section. The adjacent portions of the mounting flanges 32, 51 form end walls for the scoop members. Each of the scoops opens in the direction of rotation of the drum which is indicated by arrow 56.

Secured to the hood end wall and made up of a plurality of joined together sections is a baffle, said baffle including an arcuate section 58 that extends arcuately adjacent to the inner circumferential edges of the scoop mounting members, has an arcuate edge joined to the hood end wall, and has a terminal axially extending top edge at about the same elevation as the axis of rotation of the drum. A generally planar baffle section 59 has its front edge joined to the hood end wall, is inclined downwardly at a relatively steep angle in a direction toward the rear wall, and has its rear edge substantially more closely axially adjacent to the rear wall than the mounting member 32, and has one edge joined to the lower edge of arcuate section 58. The rear edge of inclined section 59 is at a lower elevation than shaft 21. A vertical, transverse section 60 has its upper edge joined to the rear edge of section 59 and has a circumferential edge joined to the rear edge of arcuate flange section 61. Section 61 has an outer radius of curvature slightly less than the inner radius of curvature of mounting member 32, is closely adjacent an arcuate portion of mounting member 32, and extends distances both axially substantially more closely adjacent and more remote of the hood end wall than mounting member 32. The axial length of flange section 61 that extends on each axial side of mounting member 32 is many times greater than the clearance between the flange section and the mounting member. One transverse edge of flange section 61 is joined to section 58 and the opposite transverse edge is joined to a transverse edge portion of an arcuate baffle section 62 at about the elevation of the juncture of sections 59, 60. One arcuate edge of section 62 is joined to the hood end wall while the opposite arcuate edge is spaced about the same distance from the hood end wall as section 60. The axially extending edge of section 62 that is opposite flange section 61 in part terminates above the discharge chute 81. Further, section 62, flange section 61 and arcuate section 58 have substantially the same radii of curvature.

In order to permit material in the drum being fed into the path of movement of the scoops 54, there is provided a hopper that has a vertical axially extending plate 64. Plate 64 is triangular and has one edge joined to inclined baffle section 59, a vertical second edge, and a third top edge at the elevation of the front edge of section 59. A second hopper plate 63 has a vertical first edge joined to the second edge of plate 64 and the vertical edge of section 60, a second top edge at the elevation of the top edge of plate 64 and an arcuate third edge joined to the adjacent portion of the edges of flange section 61 and ar cuate section 62 that are remote from the hood end wall. Plate 63 is parallel to the hood end wall and perpendicular to plate 64.

An inclined planar plate 65 is joined to and extends between the hood end wall and plate 63, has a top edge adjacent the top edge of plate 64 and has a bottom edge that in part is extended along the juncture of bafi'le sections 61, 62. Plate 65 extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum and is inclined downwardly and away from the vertical plane of said axis. The lower corner portion of baffle section 62 that is adjacent the hood end wall is cut away to, in conjunction with the bottom edge of plate 65, provide a hopper outlet 66 that opens into the path of movement of the scoops. The axial length of the cutout is the same as the spacing of flange section 61 from the hood end wall, the arcuate edge portion 62a of section 62 forming one edge of the hopper outlet. A second plate 67 has a top edge adjacent the top edge of plate 63 and is inclined downwardly toward the hood end wall. Plate 67 has a second edge joined to the adjacent portion of plate 65, an arcuately curved third edge joined to baffle section 62 along edge 62a, and a fourth edge joined to baffle section 62 and extending between the first and third edges. Plates 65, 67 are inclined at angles that the particulate material normally will flow freely downwardly along the surface thereof. Further plates 63, 64 are joined to the adjacent portions of baffle sections and the inclined plates; and serve as reinforcing members.

The top edges of plates 65, 67 along with the portions of baffle section 62 and the hood end wall at the same elevation provide a hopper inlet, the hopper'inlet being located horizontally on the opposite side of shaft 21 from baffle section 58 and at a slightly lower elevation than shaft 21. Further, the hopper inlet is located in a horizontal direction more remote from shaft 21 than the discharge chute inlet and at a substantially lower elevation. The hopper outlet is located at a substantially higher elevation than port 39,.and angularly between port 39 and the inlet of discharge chute 81 in the direction of arrow 56 angularly in advance of port 39.

An arcuate discharge closure member (door) 70 is provided to selectively block the discharge chute inlet. As may be noted from FIG. 3, the trailing edge of the closure member underlies the leading edge portion of baffle section 62. The closure 70 is slidably extended through an arcuate slot provided in the hood end wall, is of an axial length to, in the closed solid line position of FIG. 4, be closely adjacent and underlie a portion of mounting flange 32, and has an axially extending end portion located exteriorly of the hood end wall. The closure 70 may be provided with handles, or appropriate lever mechanism connected thereto, for moving the closure between the solid line position of FIG. 4 and the withdrawn dotted line position to at least partially unblock the discharge chute inlet. In order to mount the closure 70 for slidably movement, there are provided bracket members 68 and 69 at opposite longitudinal edges of the closure 70, said brackets having shoulders against which said closure abuts.

The chute 81 has an inclined bottom wall 81b that extends axially adjacent the spider members 27 and a top wall 81c that extends axially slightly inwardly of the end wall 17. The chute also includes sidewalls 81d. To the angular advanced sidewall there is joined an upwardly extending rectangular portion and to the bottom wall there is joined an upright arcuate portion 81a. The last two mentioned portions extend to a higher elevation than the maximum elevation of the bottom wall to preclude a substantial amount of material that moves over the leading edge of baffle section 62 being carried by inertia beyond the confines of the discharge chute. The chute 81 is mounted to have an intermediate portion extend through the port 82 formed in the hood end wall 17, the inner portion being located within the confines of the hood, and the remaining portion extending forwardly of the hood end wall. The chute 81 has the discharge opening 81 f which is located at approximately the same elevation as the shaft 21.

In order to facilitate the mixing of material and movement 7 of material from within the confines of the drum tubular wall 12 to a location axially betweenmounting flanges 32 and 51, especially when the drum is in a near empty state, there is provided a plurality of spiral mixing blades 86. For the particular machine illustrated there are provided three spiral mixing blades 86 that are fixed on and projected inwardly from the interior surface of the drum wall 12. These blades are preferably made in spiral form as indicated and angularly shaped so that each blade preferably extends circumferentially in the drum in the general neighborhood of 180 at an angle approximately 45 to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rotation of the drum. Each blade has one end closely adjacent the drum rear end wall and an opposite end extending closely adjacent mounting member 32. Further, each of said blades opposite end portions has a notch 86a whereby the blade does not strike the baffle but at the same time extends a substantial distance more closely adjacent the shaft than flange section 61 and arcuate section 62. As the drum rotates, these blades feed material toward the hood end wall, and at the same time the material falling over the inner radial edges of the blades becomes more thoroughly mixed than if said blades were not provided. Additionally, the end portions of the blades adjacent mounting member 32 elevatematerial in the drum to the elevation of the hopper inlet, baffle section 60 and plate 63 serving to prevent any substantial flow of material off the ends of the blades until the end of the respective blade is at the elevation of the hopper inlet. Thence material flows axially off the end of the blade to fall into the hopper inlet. Preferably each blade end adjacent the mounting member is inclined relative a radial line of the drum such as shown in FIG. 3 so as to elevate a greater amount of material to the elevation of the hopper inlet than if said blades were not so inclined. Advantageously the width of the end portions (dimension W) of FIG. 3 of the spiral blades adjacent the hood may be greater than the corresponding dimension of said blades at a location axially rearwardly in the drum.

Mounted in the rear end of the drum are a pair of baffles 90, one being on either diametric side of member 28 and having a longitudinal edge attached thereto. Each of the baffles 90 includes a generally planar portion 90a located substantially in a common plane of the axis of rotation of the drum, the rearward edge of the portion 90a being secured to an edge of the adjacent spider member 26 or else'overlying the respective spider member. Each of the baffles 90 also includes an I inclined triangular portion 90b that has a rearward edge integral with the forward edge of the respective portion 90a. Portions 90b form an obtuse angle with portions 90a to open in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the drum. The portions 90a are diametrically opposed to one another and the triangular portions 90b are oppositely inclined in an axial direction away from the stationary hood. As an example of the slope of surface portion 90b but not as a limitation thereon, the edge 900 may extend about a 45 angle relative to the axis of rotation of the drum while the upper planar surface 90b of the left-hand baffle of FIG. 2 forms approximately a 30 angle with the horizontal when the plane of portion 90a is horizontal. Advantages of using baffles 90 are set forth in my patent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,269,707.

Suitable power actuating mechanism for the drum 10 is diagrammatically shown in FIG. 1 and may comprise an electric motor 95 operably connected throughsuitable speed reduction mechanism 96 to a sprocket, chain and a ring gear 97 affixed on the outer periphery of the tubular wall of the drum. Thus, the drum may be rotated at a suitable speed, usually in the order of 2 to 5 r.p.m. in the direction of the arrow 56.

,v Mounted on the tubular drum wall to rotate therewith are a first plurality of inclined, elongated troughs 84, each trough having an elongated, planar, web portion 84a, a short width leg 84b joined to the leading edge of the web portion and a longer width leg 84c joined to the trailing edge of the web portion which is parallel to the leading edge. In a horizontal plane passing through the trough, the point of intersection of the plane with the leading edge is axially more closely adjacent the hood than the point of intersection of the plane with the trailing edge. Both legs are elongated in the direction of the web portion and extend outwardly therefrom in the same direction at, for example, right angles to the web portion. Further, the legs extend away from the web portion in generally the normal direction of rotation of the drum member.

Braces 84d and 84e are provided to mount the troughs 84 as set forth hereinafter, the braces for only one trough'84 being illustrated. The front edge 84f (edge at the front end of the trough that is most closely adjacent the tubular wall) of each trough is radially spaced from the tubular drum wall by a substantial distance, for example, about one-half of or greater than the radial distance that the inner radial edge of a spiral blade is spaced from the tubular wall. Further, when the front end portion of a trough 84 is closely adjacent its lowermost position during the rotation of] the drum, the front edge preferably lies in, or tilted a few degrees from, a horizontal plane parallel to the shaft axis. Additionally the front end portion is located so as not to interfere with a spiral blade directing material forwardly; i.e. either the front edge is radially spaced the same ora greater distance from the tubular wall than the inner radially edge of the transversely adjacent portion of the spiral blades, or else the trough front end portion is located more closely adjacent the transversely adjacent part of the mixing blade angularly in advance thereof than it is to the corresponding portion of the next blade angularly rearwardly thereof. Also the front edge of each trough is axially spaced from the hood end wall about the same or a slightly greater distance than spider members 27. The rear edge of each trough 84 is preferably located more closely adjacent rear wall 13 than flange 32 but spaced from the rear wall by a substantial distance, for example, by atleast one third of the axial length of the tubular wall 12.

The troughs 84 are inclined to,'as the drum rotates in its normal direction of rotation, direct material toward the drum rear wall, the troughs not being movable relative to the drum. That is, as the troughs 84 extend rearwardly they more closely approach the shaft, and if of sufficient length such as illustrated so as to extend beyond the minimum spacing of the trough from the shaft axis, to extend further away from the shaft. Additionally, in the direction of arrow 56, the front end portion of each trough is angularly rearwardly of the rear end portion. 4

The troughs 84 are equally circumferentially spaced and have their front end portions adjacent and angularly rearwardly of the transversely adjacent portion of a mixing blade. Due to the spacing of the trough front end portions from the tubular wall, when the drum is in a near empty state, the material is free to move relative the tubular wall whereby the mixing blades will cause the material to be angularly advanced and moved axially toward the hood. Thus troughs 84 do not prevent the drum being emptied. However, when the drum is about one third or more filled with material and rotating in the direction of arrow 56, material has built up on the tubular wall in the direction of arrow 56 sufficiently to be scooped up by the front end portion of a trough 84 and a substantial part of the scooped up material thereon slides along the length of the trough to descend axially rearwardly' of the midportion of the tubular wall and on the transverse opposite side of the shaft from the respective'trough front end portion. Additionally the troughs 84 are inclined such that material starts to discharge off the rear end portion when the rear end portion is at a higher elevation than the shaft. Desirably the width dimension of the web portion is substantially greater than the width dimension of either of the trough legs and is offset a few degrees relative a plane containing the shaft axis. The short legs 84b aid in retaining material on the troughs so that a greater amount will move to the rearward end of the troughs than if said legs were not provided.

A plurality of elongated inclined second troughs 85 are provided in the drum to rotate therewith. Each trough 85 has an elongated planar plate 85a, and elongated short width leg 85b joined to the leading edge of plate 85a to extend at right angles to plate 85a, and an elongated long leg 85c joined to the trailing edge. Thus, troughs 85 may be generally of the same crosssectional size and shape throughout a major portion of their lengths as troughs 84. However, troughs 85 are mounted by braces 85d, 85c attached to the drum to direct material axially forwardly as the drum rotates in its normal direction of rotation, only the braces for one trough 85 being illustrated.

The rearward edge of each trough 85 abuts against, and may be welded to the drum adjacent the juncture of walls 12, 13. Thus the rearward edge of plate 85a is welded to the junction of the rear wall and the tubular wall, and the rear edges of legs 85b, 85c are welded to the tubular wall. In order that troughs 85 will pick up more material as the drum rotates, each trough 85 has an angle plate 85m with one edge added to the edge of leg 85c opposite web 85a, a second edge welded to the tubular wall and a free third edge generally parallel to the rear wall. The angle plate extends a maximum distance away from the rear wall that is much less than the axially spacing of the front edge of trough 85 from the rear wall. Advantageously plate 85m is coplanar with leg 850.

The rear end portion of each trough 85 is a substantial distance angularly rearwardly of the front end portion. Additionally, each trough 85 is inclined to, as it extends forwardly, be progressively closer to the shaft; and if of sufflcient length to extend beyond the minimum radial spacing from the shaft, then extend further away from the shaft. Preferably the troughs 85 are of a length to have their front edges 85f located axially between the midpoint of the tubular wall and the flange 32 and not closer to flange 32 than about one third of the axial length of the tubular wall. Thus, preferably the troughs 85 discharge material axially forwardly of the location that troughs 84 discharge material; and at the time the trough is inclined to have material discharge off the front end thereof, the front end portion is higher than the shaft. Through the provision of troughs 84, 85, which rotate with the drum, material is mixed substantially faster and more thoroughly than if the troughs were not provided. Additionally, through the use of troughs 84, 85, for a given diameter drum, tubular walls of substantially greater axial lengths may be used and still obtain good mixing than if the troughs were not provided. There are three equally circumferentially spaced troughs 84 and three equally circumferentially spaced troughs 85 for the model of the first embodiment of the drum assembly that is illustrated in the drawings.

The structure of the first embodiment of the invention having been described, the operation thereof will now be briefly set forth. Assuming that the drum is in an emptied condition, and being rotated and closure member 70 is closed, the particulate material to be mixed is dumped into chute 38 where under the action of gravity it flows through the hood inlet port 39 and thence through the cutouts 52 of the mounting flange 51 that are located adjacent to and open to the inlet port 39. The material flows through the cutouts under the action of the gravity to the bottom of the hood tubular wall 16 to be located adjacent position j drum rotary position) axially between flanges 32, 51 and circumferentially between an angularly adjacent pair of scoops 54. As the drum rotates to move a scoop from position j angularly in the direction of rotation of the drum (arrow 56) to a more elevated condition, the material is precluded from falling into the confines of the drum wall 12 by mounting .member 32 and baffle sections 60, 61. As a scoop 54 is angularly advanced from a position generally in the area of position j, the material being moved over the hood tubular wall moves radially inwardly over the scoop toward the radially inner edge thereof. When the scoop has been advanced to position k (about 65 drum rotary position), the inner edge of the scoop is adjacent the lower edge of plate 65; and as the scoop advances past the hopper inlet, a small quantity of material may fall over the inner edge of the scoop into the path of movement of the following scoop. At the time the scoop has been advanced to position m (about 80 drum rotary position), the inner edge of the scoop is adjacent the upper edge of the hopper outlet, and thence as the scoop continues to be rotated in the direction of arrow 56, the material is moved over the surface of baffle section 62.

, stantially free of material.

As the scoop advances the material angularly to position it (about drum rotary position), it moves over closure member 70, provided said closure member is in a closed position, and thence to position p (about drum rotary position) where the material descends to fall upon baffle section 59 and then slides thereover to fall within the confines. of the drum wall 12. U I

As material falls onto drum wall 12, the spiral blades 86 will cause such material to flow towardmounting member 32 and be elevated to fall off the ends of thespiral blades .into the hopper inlet. However, due to the axial length of flange section 61, no significant amount of material passes between the clearance space between said flange section and. mounting member 32.

The material flowing into the hopper inlet'passes through the hopper outlet onto a scoop carrying material that had flowed through port 39 and cut out 52; or if the scoop does not have additional carrying capacity, the hopper fills up and material flows over the top edges of the hopper. However due to the size of the cutouts 52 and the fact that at least one scoop is always located angular between angularly adjacent edges'of port 39 and the hopper outlet, an insufficient amount of material builds up on the lower portion of the hood wall 16 whereby sufflcient material would flow under annular member 32 to have a material buildup to the elevation of the lowermost part of seal 16a. This precludes undue wearing of the seal such as would occur if there were a buildup of material adjacent the seal. As additional material is fed through the chute 38 and transferred into the drum in the aforementioned manner, the level builds-up in the drum adjacent mounting member 32 and baffle section 60 sufficiently to be of a greater depth than the height of the mixing blades at their lowermost angular position and accordingly falls over the top of the mixing blades and gradually works to the end 13 of the drum. At this time the troughs 85 direct (convey) material forwardly'tocause the material to become thoroughly mixed. Also troughs 84 aid in mixing the material. This procedure will continue until the drum is loaded, all the time the material beingcontinuously mixed.

After loading through chute 38 is discontinued, the scoops remove substantially all the material on hood wall 16 adjacent port 39 whereby the material is transferred into the drum. Thereafter, mixing may be continued with material flowing through the hopper being elevated and then the elevated material descending onto baffle section 59 at angular position p. However, the scoops angularly between the hopper outlet and port 39 prevent any significant flow of material that has passed through the hopper moving generally in a direction opposite arrow 56 to a position adjacent port 39, i.e. the scoops at this time keeping the lowermost portion of the hood-sub- After mixing is complete, the closure 70 is at least partially opened whereby material elevated to position n is free to-flow into the discharge chute inlet axially between the closure and chute portion8le. If the closure is only partially open, some'of the material elevated to position it will be discharged through chute 81 and the rest will be moved over the closure toposi' tion p to descend onto baffle section 59.

The material falling through the inlet of the chute 81: passesthrough the outlet 81 f into a bag or a suitable receptacle-The spiral blades continuously feed material axially forwardly and elevate the material to pass through the hopper to be subsequently moved by the scoops to an elevated position to-be discharged through chute 81.

All during the filling of the drum and the mixing of the:

material, material radially adjacent the front edges of troughs 84 can move relative to said front edges in a direction opposite arrow 56, i.e. not advanced angularly as fast as the trough; After the drum has been filled to a level that is about thesame as the radial spacing of the front edges of troughs 84, from the tubular wall 12, material is moved by the troughs 84'. Aboutthe time the drum is one-third filled, material builds along the tubular wall in the direction of arrow 56 to a sufficientheight that the front end portions of troughs 84 will"scoop up" material which, for the most part slides rearwardly along the trough as the drum rotates. However, when the drum is in a near empty state, the material radially adjacent a trough 84 front edge when the trough 'is in its lower angular position is not axially moved rearwardly .but rather passes therebeneath to be axially moved forwardly by; the next angularly rearward mixing blade. I I

The emptying process is continued until the drum is emptied. Then the closure 70 is moved to a closed position to ready the apparatus of this invention for mixing another batch of material.

The first embodiment of the invention having been described, the structure of the second embodiment, generally designated 125, will now be set forth. The second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. and 6. The machine 125 includes a large cylindrical drum having a tubular outer wall 127 and a rear end wall (not shown) mounted on the shaft 128 by spider members 133, a mounting member 134 at the front end portion of the shaft,' and spider members (not shown) at the opposite axial end of said shaft. The shaft 128 at either axial end is mounted on theframe 132 by shaft mounting members 129. Theshaftmay be stationary or rotatable as described in my aforementioned patents, the drum being rotatable.

There is provided a stationary hood, generally designated 130, having an axially extending arcuate wall portion 131 that extends over a portion of approximately the upper angular one-half of the tubular drurn wall 127 in a manner corresponding to the extension of the upper. half of the hood tubular wall over the drum tubular wall of the first embodiment. Vertical, axially extending flanges 135a, 1351) are joined to opposite lower edges portions respectively of the arcuate wall 131 to depend therefrom, there being a hood end wall 136 joined to the forward edges of ,thearcuate wall 131 and vertical flanges 1350, 135b. One end portion of shaft 128 extends through the central portion of the hood end wall 136, while the opposite end extends through the drum rear end wall (not shown).

Located generally diametrically opposite the top portion of arcuate wall 131 is a loading bin (sump) 139 into which the material to be transferred into the drum is fed. The bin has an arcuate bottom wall section'l39a, preferably having a radius of curvature corresponding to that of drum wall 127, but curved about a point D that is at a substantially lower elevation than shaft 128 and horizontally offset a substantial distance from the shaft on the opposite side of the shaft from the hopper 173-177. One longitudinal edge of portion 139a is joined to flange 135a at a substantially lower elevation than wall 131, the opposite edge of portion 139a being joined to the lower edge of inclined portion 1390 on the same transverse side of shaft 128 that the hopper is located. Inclined portion l39c extends linearly upwardly toward flange 135b at an angle to the horizontal, for example, an angle of about 4560 is satisfactory although it may be varied somewhat depending on the size of the drum. The upper edge of portion 1390 is joined to the adjacent lower edge of wall portion 131 at a substantially higher elevation than the juncture of portions 135a, 139a but at a lower elevation'than shaft 128. Thus portions 139a, 1390 each in part extend to higher elevations than the lowermost part of the tubular drum wall 127.

The hood end wall has an inlet port 146 opening onto the inner surface of the bottom wall 139a, there being a chute 138 with a grilled floor plate 138a through which material is fed into the chute by gravity flow to be directed through inlet port 146 onto the loading bin bottom wall. To be noted is that the upper horizontal edge of inlet port v 146 is located at a lower elevation than the lowermost portion of the drum tubular wall.

A generally annular resilient seal member 142 is fixedly attached to the rearward edge of the arcuate wall 131 and the flange portion of the loading binrear wall 139b, which is shaped to form a continuation of the axial rear portion of wall 131, to generally form a fluid seal with the drum outer wall jacent edges of portions 139a, 1390. Thus the hood which includes the loading bin encloses the forward end of the drum.

In order to transfer material from the loading bin to an area within the confines of the drum tubular wall 127 there is provided the transfer mechanism generally designated 150. The transfer mechanism 150 includes axially spaced annular mounting flanges 151 and .152, the mounting flange-152 being closely adjacent the hood end wall 136. The mounting flange 151 at its outer peripheral edge is welded to the front edge of the drum outer wall 127. A plurality of circumferentially spaced scoops 158 are provided, the forward edge of each scoop 158 being welded to the adjacent outer peripheral edge of the mounting flange 152 and the opposite edge being welded to mounting flange 151.

A series of swing scoops (generally of the construction described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,269,707), generally designated 156, are pivotally supported on circumferentially spaced horizontal rods 159 which are located adjacentthe radially outer edge portions of flanges 151, 152. Each scoop 156 has an outer axial edge 160. adapted to slide along the arcuate wall 139a of the loading bin to gathermaterial through an outer opening 164 at the outer edges of 'the scoop. There is also an inner opening 162 at the inner side of the scoop from which the material is discharged as hereinafter described.

Each swing scoop has axially spaced somewhat triangular shaped wall portions (plates) 155, the rod 159 being extended through the apex portions thereof, and a curved wall 153 joined to the correspondingly curved base edges of portions 155. Wall 153 is curved such that the radially outer end portion thereof is of about the same curvature as wall portion' 139a, while the upper end portion extends nearly vertical when the scoop is at the lowermost position in the loading bin. The inner edge of each generally triangular plate is of about the same length as the outerjedge. A flanged cross brace 157 is attached to the apexed portions of the plates 155.

The leading edge of the scoop curved wall 153, the outer edges of the plates 155. and a longitudinal edge of the cross brace define the outer opening 164 of a scoop. The inner opening 162 is defined by the inner edges of the plates 155, the inner edge 161 of the scoop curved wall and the respective edge of the cross brace 157.

Secured to the adjacent portions of the hood end wall is a hopper and a baffle. Since the baffles and hoppers are of the same construction as that described relative the first embodiment, they will only be briefly described with reference to the second embodiment. I

The baffle of the second embodiment includes an arcuate section 166 extending adjacent the mounting members 151, 152 and having a slightly srnallerradius of curvature than the inner radius of curvature of said members, a generally planar, inclined baffle section 167, a vertical transverse section 168 and an arcuate flange section 169. Sections 166169 are joined together and mounted by the hood end wall 136 the same as members 5861 of the first embodiment. The baffle of the second embodiment also includes an arcuate baffle section 170 which extends from the discharge chute 181 to flange section 169 and corresponds to the flange section 62 of the first embodiment.

The hopper of the second embodiment includes a transverse vertical plate 173; a vertical plate 174 joined to baffle section 167, plate 173 and the hood end wall 136; an inclined plate 175 extending between plate 173 and the hood end wall; and an inclined plate 176. The hopper outlet 177 is provided in baffle section 170 and is in part bounded on the top by an edge of said section 170, an edge of plate l76, an' edge of plate 175 and by a portion of the hood end wall.

The baffle section 170 is angularly larger than section 62 since the discharge chute 181 is located horizontally on the opposite side of shaft 128 from the hopper 173-176. The discharge chute has a top wall 181a, a bottom wall 181b, sidewalls 181d, an outlet 181] located exterior of the hood, a vertical portion 181a joined'to the bottom wall, and an inlet located beneath the scoop mounting member portions adjacent the location of the maximum elevation of said scoop mounting members 151, 152. Thus the hopper inlet is at a substantially lower elevation than the discharge chute inlet. A closure 182 for blocking the inlet of the discharge chute 181 is mounted by the hood end wall to extend outwardly thereof, there being provided brackets 183, 184 on the interior of the hood for slidably supporting the closure. The trailing edge of the closure underlies the leading edge of the baffle section 170, the closure being arcuately curvedso that the scoops will move material thereover when the closure is in a closed condition.

The second embodiment of the mixing machine 125 also includes a plurality of troughs 184, a second set of troughs (not shown) and spiral mixing blades 186 that are of a construction and mounted similarly to troughs 84, 85 and mixing blades 86 respectively of the first embodiment of the invention. Likewise the machine 125 includes baffles at the rearward end of the drum (not shown) that correspond to baffles 90 of the first embodiment. As the construction of the rearward end of the drum of the machine 125 and the structure mounted therein advantageously may be of the same construction as that described relative to the corresponding parts of the first embodiment of the invention it has not been illustrated nor will be further described. Also the structure for drivingly rotating the drum of the machine 125 relative to shaft 128 and the stationary hood 130 is the same as that illustrated and described relative to the first embodiment.

The structure of the second embodiment of the invention having been described, the operation thereof will now be briefly set forth. Assuming that the drum is in an emptied condition and being rotated, and that closure member 182 is in a closed solid line condition; the particulate material to be mixed is dumped into the loading chute 138 through the grilled top plate 138a where under the action of gravity the material flows through the hood inlet port 146 and thence onto the floor 139a of the loading bin 139 to be located adjacent position s rotary position of the drum) beneath and axially between flanges 151 and 152. As the drum rotates, the scoop 156 angularly rearwardly of the port 146 is advanced to be adjacent port 146 and has its outer edge 160 abutting against the bottom wall 139a of the loading bin to gather material into opening 164 and to drag the material over the loading bin bottom wall. As this scoop is carried by the rotation of the drum angularly toward the r position, due to the curvature of the bin bottom wall, and thereafter due to the angle of inclination of inclined wall 1390, the scoop 156 pivots about rod 159. As a result the scoop edge 160 moves more closely adjacent the outer peripheral edges of mounting members 152. Due to the horizontal offset of bottom wall 139a and the angle of inclination of inclined wall 139e, the amount of material falling over the radial inner edge of scoop wall 153 is substantially decreased from the amount that would fall over said edge if wall portion 1390 were not offset and wall portion 139C inclined. That is, the hopper outlet opens to the path of travel of the scoops an gularly in advance of the angularly rearward, but adjacent, swing scoop when the curved wall of said scoop is radially adjacent the minimum radial spacing between wall portion 139C and the inner peripheral edge of members 151, 152.

As this scoop 156 is advanced angularly past the t position, through the action of gravity, said scoop pivots such that its inner edge 161 abuts against the baffle section 170 to thereby prevent material falling out of the scoop and thence descending to a lower level. Also at about this time the material carried by the scoop 156 moves over the scoop arcuate wall 153 to be more closely adjacent baffle section 170 and subsequently through the inner scoop opening 162 to be dragged over baffle section 170.

As the scoop 156 advances the material angularly from the t position to position u, the material is moved over closure member 182, provided said closure member is in a closed position, and thence to position w where it descends to fall on inclined baffle section 167 and slide thereover to fall within the confines of the tubular drum wall 127. At this time the material in the drum is elevated by the spiral blades 186 to, for the most part, fall into the inlet of the hopper and flow through the hopper outlet to fall onto a scoop 158, and/or a scoop 156 angularly rearwardly (direction opposite arrow of the hopper outlet, and/or the inclined wall 1390 angularly intermediate port 146 and flange 35; provided the scoops moving rearwardly adjacent the hopper outlet are not moving suff cient material adjacent the hopper outlet to prevent the flow of material downwardly therethrough. The scoops, in being moved in the direction of arrow 190 prevent any substantial amount of material that flows downwardly through the hopper outlet moving to a location axially opposite port 146.:

Subsequently the level of material builds up throughout the drum in the manner described relative the first embodiment. After the material has been thoroughly mixed, the closure 181 is moved to an open condition, and the material elevated by the scoops to position u discharges through the discharge chute. During this time the spiral blades continuously feed material axially forwardly (arrow 191) and elevate the mater-i al in the drum to fall into the hopper inlet,.then the material is elevated by the scoops to position it, and thence to be discharged through the discharge chute 181.

For the most part of the rotary cycle of the drum, the scoops 156 are limited in their inward radial pivotal movement" about their respective pivot rods 159 through the provision of baffle sections 166, 169 and 170. During a portion of the angular movement of the scoops 156 adjacent positions Landx, the maximum outward movement of the scoops about their pivots 159 is limited by the angularly adjacent portions of the vertical flanges of the hood, whilebetween positions x andw the inward movement of the scoops may be limited by an axially short arcuate flange (not shown) mounted on the hood end wall adjacent the inner peripheraledge portion of the mounting member 152. I

To be mentioned is that scoops 158 do not have to beprovided as long as there is structure for retaining mounting member 152 axially spaced from mounting member 151 and rotating said mounting members together. i I

In the first embodiment the flange 61 may be forwardly elongated to be joined to the hood end wall. However with the second embodiment it is preferred that the flange 169 extend forwardly only a short distance axially more closely adjacent to the hood end wall than mounting member 151. The reason for this is that in event the drive to the drum is stopped with material being elevated by the scoops, and no braking mechanism is provided, the weight of material on the scoops will cause the drum to rotate in the direction opposite arrow 190. If there were sufficient material in the lower portion of the hood, the flange 169 extended to the hood end wall and such reverse rotation occurred, the material in the lower portion of the hood would become packed and occasionally result in scoops 156 being damaged. However, due to the spacing of the flange 169 from the hood end wall, material can be pushed up into the space axially between baffle sections 168, 167 and the hood end wall, and thus avoid such damage to the scoops With reference to each embodiment the hopper outlet opens to the scoops in the range of about 4075 angularly in advance of the lowermost position of the scoops of the first embodiment and the swing scoops 156 of the second embodiment.

With reference to both embodiments, with drums of relatively short axial lengths the front troughs (84, 184) may be dispensed with, and faster mixing is obtained through the provision of the rear troughs than if no rear troughs were pro.- vided. Also with reference to both embodiments, the front troughs may be mounted to have their rear-end portions angularly rearwardly of their front-end portions and still direct material axially rearwardly as the drum rotates, and the rear troughs mounted to have their rear-end portions angularly in advance of their front-end portions to direct material axially forwardly. However this is not as desirable as the previously described manner of mounting since the material sliding along the web portions in a direction to be discharged off thefronttrough rear-end portion and the rear-trough front-end portion is discharged off the front-trough rear-end portion and the rear-trough front-end portion is discharged at a lower elevation than the shaft; and thus are not as effective, particularly as the level of material in the drum (in a drum stationary condition) approaches the elevation of the shaft. However with both manners of mounting the troughs, the troughs are inclined to convey material both axially and transversely as the drum rotates to move the front-trough front-end portion "'and the rear-trough rear-end portion in the direction of normal rotation between their lowermost elevations and their uppermost elevations.

lclaim:

1. A machine for mixing particulate materials comprising a drum, means for mounting the drum to revolve about a substantially horizontal axis in one nonnal angular direction,said

drum having a tubular wall and a rear end wall at one axial end thereof, a stationary hood enclosing-the opposite end of the drum, said hood having an end wall adjacent the end of the drum opposite the drum rear wall, and hood and drum cooperating means in part mounted by said hood and in part by said drum to rotate therewith for elevating material from a low position to a higher position as the drum is rotated and selectively discharging at least part of the above mentioned elevated material exterior of the hood, the drum cooperating means including a plurality of scoops, first generally annular means for mounting said scoops on the drum in circumferentially spaced relationship to rotate with said drum, and second means for elevating material within the drum to an elevation intermediate the lower and uppermost portions of the drum and directing the last mentioned elevated material toward the hood end wall, said second means being mounted in thedrum to rotate therewith and extending axially more closely adjacent to the rear wall than said scoops, the hood cooperating means including a discharge chute mounted on the hood wall, said chute having an inlet axially beneath an upper portion of the drum cooperating means to receive material from a scoop, and an outlet opening exteriorly of the hood, baffle means joined to the hood end wall and overhanging angularly lower scoops for directing material axially away from the hood end wall and blocking any substantial flow of material from the drum into the lower scoops, and hopper means connected to at least one of the hood and the baffle means for receiving material from the second means and directing it into the path of movement of a scoop at an elevation vertically between the chute inlet and the lowermost portion of the drum, said hopper means having an outlet at a sub- 4 stantially higher elevation than the lowermost portion of the drum and located angularly betweenthe lowermost portion of the drum and the chute inlet in the direction of normal rotation of the drum.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that trough means is mounted on the tubular wall to rotate therewith for directing at least part of the material within the confines of the tubular wall toward the rear wall.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that the first means comprises an annular scoop mounting member axially remote from the hood end wall that has an inside diameter substantially less than the inside diameter of the drum, and that the baffle means includes an angularly elongated flange overlaying a substantial lower angular portion of the scoop mounting member and extending a substantial axial distance on either side of the mounting member.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further characterized in that the baffle means includes an inclined wall portion having one edge joined to said hood, said wall portion being inclined most scoops.

'gularlyaround the part of the drum coop 5. The apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that said wall portion extends transverse relative to said axis, from adjacent the hopper means to adjacent th'ejar' nulz rr mounting member at a location horizontally oppositet'he hopper means.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that said hood has an annular wall portion surrounding-said scoops, an annular flange joined to said'hood wallpor't'ionaxially opposite said hood end wall, and a flexible seal member joined'to said hoodwall portion for bearinfg' 'rigai'r'ist the drumlf 7. The apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that said hood includes a sump portion underlying a substantial angular portion of the drum cooperating means and an axial portion, said hood sump portion and axial ion extending anerating means, and seal means joined to said hood anelists-seal against said drum, and that said first means includes means for pivotally mounting said scoops to permit the scoopsto extend into said sump portion as the scoops are moved angularly adjac t'said sumpportion.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 furthercharacterize'd in that said sump portion includes a lower wallportion underlying at least part of the path of travel of the scoops, said sumpwzill portion at least in part being curved about-a radius of curvature that is lower than said horizontal axis and horizontally on the opposite side of said horizont'ai'i'axi's from the hopper means inlet.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 further characterized'in that said sump portion includes a linear wan portion adjacent and beneath the path of travel of the scoops, said linear wallf-portion being joined to said lower wallportionfand "inc'liri'ed upwardly therefrom at an acute angle relative the horizontal;

10. [n a machine for mixing particulate materiaha fram'e, an elongated generally horizontal shaft mounted on said frame,2a drum having a tubular wall and a rear'end wall mounted-on said shaft to revolve about the shaft axis,'means connected'to the drum for drivingly rotating the drum in a given angular direction, a stationary hood having an end wall at the opposite axial end of said tubular wall from said rear wall, andanaxially extending wall to enclose the opposite end of said tubular wall, a discharge chute mounted on the hood end wall and having an inlet opening within the hood at a substantially higher elevation than said shaft, a baffle fixedly securedto the hood and located within the hood, a hopper fixedly mounted in the hood and joined to said baffle, saidhopper havingan inlet at a substantially lower elevation than said discharge chute inlet, at a substantially higher elevation than the lowermost portion of the drum, and substantially horizontally offset and spaced from the shaft, said baffle including an arcuate section radially spaced from the hood axially extendingwall I and angularly between the hopper and the discharge chute, first means on the tubular wall for elevating material in' the drum and directing material to flow into the hopper inletias the drum is rotated, and generally annular second means mounted on said opposite axial end ofthe tubular wallito rotate with said drum for elevating material in the lower portion of the'hood and moving the elevated material to'a'location above the discharge chute inlet, said second means-in cluding a plurality of circumferentially spaced scoops and third means for mounting the scoops and movingthescoops through a generally circular path including between said baffle section and hood axial wall as the drum rotates, said hop per having an outlet opening to the path of movement of =the scoops radially between the shaft and the annular means .and angularly between the lowermost portion of the hood axial wall and the discharge chute inlet in said given angular direction at a substantial angular distance in advance of "the lowermost portion of the hood axialwall, and said baffle and third means having cooperating means for blocking any s'ulistantial fiow of material within the confines of the lower-portion of the drum into the path of movement of the-scoops.

ll. The-apparatus of .claim 10 further characterized inthat the first means comprises a plurality of. mixing blades'that are joined to the tubular. wall for moving material'axially toward the hood as the drum rotates in said given angular direction, and that there is provided trough means secured to the tubular wall to rotate therewith for feeding material in the drum toward the rear wall after the drum has a substantial amount of material therein, said trough means comprising a trough for conveying material rearwardly and spaced from the tubular wall and the blades to permit the blades feeding material forwardly for emptying the drum, and means for mounting the trough on the drum wall in the above mentioned spaced relationship to the drum to rotate therewith.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that the baffle cooperating means includes a generally planar inclined plate having a front edge joined to the hood end wall, said plate being inclined downwardly toward the rear wall at a sufficiently steep angle that the material will normally flow thereover through the force of gravity, and extending transversely between the hopper and the portion of the annular means that is located on the side of the shaft horizontally opposite the hopper.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that the third means includes an annular flange joined to the tubular wall to rotate therewith, said annular flange having a substantially smaller inside radius of curvature than that of the tubular wall, and that the cooperating means includes an arcuate flange having an outside radius of curvature slightly smaller than the radius of curvature of the annular flange, said arcuate flange being of an angular length of greater than 90, and baffle means joined to the hood end wall for mounting said arcuate flange closely adjacent and overlying the inner circumferential edge of the lower portion ofthe annular flange, said arcuate flange being of an axial length to extend a distance substantially more closely adjacent the rear wall than the an- 14. The apparatus of claim 13 further characterized in that said hood includes a sump extending to a substantially lower elevation than the tubular wall, said sump having an arcuately curved bottom wall that constitutes apart of said axial wall, that said scoops have walls that extend in a direction parallel to the shaft, that said third means comprises fourth means for mounting said scoops for pivotal movement about axes parallel to the shaft axis to permit the scoops moving angularly across the sump bottom wall as the drum is rotated, and that said arcuate flange has a circumferential edge that is axially more closely adjacent the hood and wall than the annular flange and is spaced from the hood end wall by a dimension that is greater than one-half of the dimension of one of said scoop walls in the direction parallel to the shaft.

15. The apparatus of claim l4 further characterized in that the fourth means includes a generally planar baffle plate having a front edge fixedly attached to the hood end wall at about the elevation of the hopper inlet, said baffle plate being inclined downwardly in a direction toward the rear wall and having a rear edge located axially more closely adjacent the rear wall than said annular flange.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 further characterized in that said arcuately curved bottom wall is curved about an axis at a lower elevation than the shaft axis and substantially horizontally offset therefrom in a direction opposite the hopper.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 further characterized in that said sump has a linear wall portion that constitutes a part of said axial wall, said linear wall portion being joined to said arcuately curved wall portion, inclined upwardly and at least in part being vertically beneath the hopper.

I8. The apparatus of claim 13 further characterized in that said annular flange has an outside diameter substantially greater than the outside diameter of the tubular wall, and that said hood end wall has an inlet port at a substantially lower elevation than the hopper outlet, and that there is provided a feed chute attached to the lowerportion of the hood for feed ing material through said inlet-port into the interior of the hood.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 further characterized in that there is provided a closure mounted on the hood end wall for 1.6 I selectively blocking the discharge chute inlet, and that said bafile has a terminal edge horizontal opposite the hopper that is substantially angularly spaced from the discharge chute to permit material moved by the scoops to an elevation above the discharge chute inlet to fall onto'said baffle when the closure is blocking the discharge chute inlet.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 further characterized in that said third means comprises a second annular flange that is axially adjacent the hood end wall, said scoops extending between and being fixedly attached to said annular flanges, and that said second annular flange has cutouts to permit material flowing through said port ,to a location axially between said annular flanges.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 further characterized in that said baffle includes a second arcuate section extending between said hopper and discharge chute inlet and closely adjacent the path of movement of they scoops radially between the shaft and axial wall to block the flow of material to a lower level as the scoops move angularly toward the discharge chute inlet,

22. The apparatus of claim 21 further characterized in that the hopper includes a first generally planar inclined plate parallel to the shaft axis and inclined downwardly to extend progressively further away from a vertical plane intermediate the shaft and the plate and parallel to the shaft axis, the upper portion of said first plate being horizontally intermediate a part of the arcuate bafi'le section and the shaft.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 further characterized in that said hopper includes a second vertical plate, said second plate being perpendicular to the shaft axis and extending horizontal between the first plate upper edge and the horizontal opposite part of the arcuate baffle section and being axially on the opposite side of the hood end wall from the first plate, and having a top edge at the level of the hopper inlet, said hopper outlet being axially intermediate the hood end wall and the second plate and having a lower edge defined by said first plate.

24. The apparatus of claim 22further characterized in that a plurality of angularly spaced, elongated, inclined trough means are mounted in the tubular wall to rotate therewith for conveying material within the drum rearwardly as the drum rotates after the drum is partially filled, said first trough means each including a first-trough front-end portion axially adjacent said opposite end of the tubular wall and radially spaced from the tubular wall and a first rear-end portion further axially remote from the first front-end portion, each trough having a portion intermediate its end portions more radially closely adjacent the shaft than the front-end portion.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 further characterized in that there is provided a plurality of elongated, inclined second trough means for conveying material axially forwardly in the drum as the drum rotates, each of said second trough means including a front-end portion and a rear-end portion radially adjacent the tubular wall and a discharge end portion axially intermediate the hood and the rear wall, each second trough means having a portion intermediate its end portions more radially closely adjacent the shaft than its rear-end portion.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 further characterized in that each trough front-end portion is angularly rearwardly of the trough rear-end portion in said given angular direction and that each second trough means front-end portion is angularly in advance of its rear-end portion.

27. In a machine for mixing particulate material, a frame, an elongated horizontal shaft mounted on said frame, a drum having a tubular wall and a rear-end wall mounted on said shaft to revolve about the shaft axis, means connected to said drum for drivingly rotating said drum in a given angular direction, said drum having a 0 drum rotary position at the lowermost part of the drum, a stationary hood having an end wall axially spaced from the end of the tubular wall opposite said rear wall, and an axial wall enclosing the end of the drum opposite the rear wall, said shaft extending through the hood end wall, a plurality of scoops, first means for mounting said scoops axially between the tubular wall in circumferentially spaced relationship radially adjacent the hood axial wall to rotate with the drum for elevating material from the lowermost portion of the hood, said hood having an inlet opening to the lowermost portion of the hood axial wall, a feed chute exterior of the hood for directing material through the hood inlet and into the path of movement of the scoops, a discharge chute attached to said hood end wall and having an inlet radially between the path of movement 'of the scoops and the shaft at a substantially higher elevation than the shaft, a hopper fixedly attached to the hood radially between the path of movement of the scoops and the shaft, and angularly between the hood inlet and the discharge chute inlet in the direction the drum is driven, said hopper having an outlet opening adjacent the path of travel of the scoops and angularly in advance of the lowermost portion of the path of travel of the scoops for directing material to the scoops and an inlet at an elevation intermediate that of the discharge chute inlet and the hood inlet, means attached to the drum to rotate therewith for directing material within the drum to the hopper inlet and baffle means mounted by the hood and extending transversely above the lowermost scoops for blocking any substantial flow of material within the confines of the drum into the path of travel of the scoops other than that flowing through the hopper.

28. The apparatus of claim 26 further characterized in that the hopper outlet is located about 40-75 in advance of said drum position.

29. In a machine for mixing particulate material, a frame, a generally horizontal shaft mounted on said frame, a drum having a tubular wall and a rear wall mounted on said shaft to revolve about the shaft axis, means for normally rotating the drum in a given direction, a'stationary hood having an end wall at the opposite axial end of said tubular wall to enclose the opposite end of said tubular wall, hood and drum cooperating means, in part mounted by said hood, and in part by said drum to rotate therewith, for elevating material from a vertically lower position as the drum is rotated, and selectively discharging the elevated material'exteriorly of said hood and alternately into the drum, said cooperating means including spiral mixing blades attached to the drum to rotate therewith for directing material in the drum toward the hood end wall, and first trough means mounted in the drum to rotate therewith for directing materialin the drum toward the rear end wall after the drum is partially. filled and is rotating, said trough means including a trough first front end portion radially spaced from the tubular wall to provide a clearance space to permit material in the drum being fed toward the hood by the spiral blades when the drum is in a near empty condition to allow substantially emptying the drum.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 further characterized in that said trough means comprises a plurality of elongated, inclined, circumferentially-spaced troughs, each trough having a rearend portion and a front-end portion that in the direction of normal rotation of the drum is substantially angularly more rearwardly than the rear-end portion.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 further characterized in that the spiral blades have one end'portion axially adjacent the hood and that the cooperating means comprises a hopper fixedly attached to the hood and having an outlet, and an inlet adjacent the one end portions of the spiral blades to receive material elevated thereby, said hopper outlet being a substantial angular distance in advanced the lowermost portion of the drum, and scoop means attached to the drum to rotate therewith for receiving material discharged through the hopper outlet and elevating the received material as the drum rotates.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 further characterized in that the cooperating means comprises a baffle fixedly attached to the hood, said baffle having an inclined plate that overhangs the substantial angular partof the lower part of the path of travel of the scoops and is inclined downwardly in a direction toward the rear wall and that there is provided second trough means mounted in the drum to rotate therewith for conveying material axially forwardly, said second trough means having a discharge end portion axially' intermediate about one-half the axial length of the tubular wall and said tubular wall opposite end.

33. The apparatus of claim 29 further characterized in that said first trough means includes a trough first rear-end portion and an intermediate portion between its end portions that is radially more closely adjacent the shaft than the trough first front-end portion and a substantial distance axially rearwardly of the first front-end portion.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 further characterized in that there is provided second trough means mounted in the drum to rotate therewith for conveying material axially forwardly in the drum as the drum rotates in said given angular direction, said second trough means including a second rear-end portion radially adjacent the tubular wall and axially between the rear wall and the first rear-end'portion, and a second front-end portion located substantially closer to the hood than the second rear-end portion. i

35. The apparatus of claim 34 further characterized in that the first front-end portion is located a substantial angular distance rearwardly of the first rear-end portion in said given angular direction, and that the second rear-end portion is angularly rearwardly of the second front end portion in said given angular direction.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 further characterized in that each trough means includes an elongated inclined planar plate having a trailing edge, the direction of elongation of the inclined plate being predominantly in an axial direction, and an elongated leg joined to the trailing edge of said plate, the width of said leg being less than the width of said plate. 

1. A machine for mixing particulate materials comprising a drum, means for mounting the drum to revolve about a substantially horizontal axis in one normal angular direction, said drum having a tubular wall and a rear end wall at one axial end thereof, a stationary hood enclosing the opposite end of the drum, said hood having an end wall adjacent the end of the drum opposite the drum rear wall, and hood and drum cooperating means in part mounted by said hood and in part by said drum to rotate therewith for elevating material from a low position to a higher position as the drum is rotated and selectively discharging at least part of the above mentioned elevated material exterior of the hood, the drum cooperating means including a plurality of scoops, first generally annular means for mounting said scoops on the drum in circumferentially spaced relationship to rotate with said drum, and second means for elevating material within the drum to an elevation intermediate the lower and uppermost portions of the drum and directing the last mentioned elevated material toward the hood end wall, said second means being mounted in the drum to rotate therewith and extending axially more closely adjacent to the rear wall than said scoops, the hood cooperating means including a discharge chute mounted on the hood wall, said chute having an inlet axially beneath an upper portion of the drum cooperating means to receive material from a scoop, and an outlet opening exteriorly of the hood, baffle means joined to the hood end wall and overhanging angularly lower scoops for directing material axially away from the hood end wall and blocking any substantial flow of material from the drum into the lower scoops, and hopper means connected to at least one of the hood and the baffle means for receiving material from the secOnd means and directing it into the path of movement of a scoop at an elevation vertically between the chute inlet and the lowermost portion of the drum, said hopper means having an outlet at a substantially higher elevation than the lowermost portion of the drum and located angularly between the lowermost portion of the drum and the chute inlet in the direction of normal rotation of the drum.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that trough means is mounted on the tubular wall to rotate therewith for directing at least part of the material within the confines of the tubular wall toward the rear wall.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that the first means comprises an annular scoop mounting member axially remote from the hood end wall that has an inside diameter substantially less than the inside diameter of the drum, and that the baffle means includes an angularly elongated flange overlaying a substantial lower angular portion of the scoop mounting member and extending a substantial axial distance on either side of the mounting member.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 further characterized in that the baffle means includes an inclined wall portion having one edge joined to said hood, said wall portion being inclined downwardly in a direction toward the drum rear wall, extending axially more remote from the hood end wall than the scoops and extending in overlying relationship to the lowermost scoops.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that said wall portion extends transverse relative to said axis from adjacent the hopper means to adjacent the annular mounting member at a location horizontally opposite the hopper means.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that said hood has an annular wall portion surrounding said scoops, an annular flange joined to said hood wall portion axially opposite said hood end wall, and a flexible seal member joined to said hood wall portion for bearing against the drum.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that said hood includes a sump portion underlying a substantial angular portion of the drum cooperating means and an axial portion, said hood sump portion and axial portion extending angularly around the part of the drum cooperating means, and seal means joined to said hood portions to seal against said drum, and that said first means includes means for pivotally mounting said scoops to permit the scoops to extend into said sump portion as the scoops are moved angularly adjacent said sump portion.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 further characterized in that said sump portion includes a lower wall portion underlying at least part of the path of travel of the scoops, said sump wall portion at least in part being curved about a radius of curvature that is lower than said horizontal axis and horizontally on the opposite side of said horizontal axis from the hopper means inlet.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 further characterized in that said sump portion includes a linear wall portion adjacent and beneath the path of travel of the scoops, said linear wall portion being joined to said lower wall portion and inclined upwardly therefrom at an acute angle relative the horizontal.
 10. In a machine for mixing particulate material, a frame, an elongated generally horizontal shaft mounted on said frame, a drum having a tubular wall and a rear end wall mounted on said shaft to revolve about the shaft axis, means connected to the drum for drivingly rotating the drum in a given angular direction, a stationary hood having an end wall at the opposite axial end of said tubular wall from said rear wall, and an axially extending wall to enclose the opposite end of said tubular wall, a discharge chute mounted on the hood end wall and having an inlet opening within the hood at a substantially higher elevation than said shaft, a baffle fixedly secured to the hood and located within the hood, a hopper fixedly mounted in the hood and joined to said baffle, said hopper having an inlet at a substantially lower elevation than said discharge chute inlet, at a substantially higher elevation than the lowermost portion of the drum, and substantially horizontally offset and spaced from the shaft, said baffle including an arcuate section radially spaced from the hood axially extending wall and angularly between the hopper and the discharge chute, first means on the tubular wall for elevating material in the drum and directing material to flow into the hopper inlet as the drum is rotated, and generally annular second means mounted on said opposite axial end of the tubular wall to rotate with said drum for elevating material in the lower portion of the hood and moving the elevated material to a location above the discharge chute inlet, said second means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced scoops and third means for mounting the scoops and moving the scoops through a generally circular path including between said baffle section and hood axial wall as the drum rotates, said hopper having an outlet opening to the path of movement of the scoops radially between the shaft and the annular means and angularly between the lowermost portion of the hood axial wall and the discharge chute inlet in said given angular direction at a substantial angular distance in advance of the lowermost portion of the hood axial wall, and said baffle and third means having cooperating means for blocking any substantial flow of material within the confines of the lower portion of the drum into the path of movement of the scoops.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that the first means comprises a plurality of mixing blades that are joined to the tubular wall for moving material axially toward the hood as the drum rotates in said given angular direction, and that there is provided trough means secured to the tubular wall to rotate therewith for feeding material in the drum toward the rear wall after the drum has a substantial amount of material therein, said trough means comprising a trough for conveying material rearwardly and spaced from the tubular wall and the blades to permit the blades feeding material forwardly for emptying the drum, and means for mounting the trough on the drum wall in the above mentioned spaced relationship to the drum to rotate therewith.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that the baffle cooperating means includes a generally planar inclined plate having a front edge joined to the hood end wall, said plate being inclined downwardly toward the rear wall at a sufficiently steep angle that the material will normally flow thereover through the force of gravity, and extending transversely between the hopper and the portion of the annular means that is located on the side of the shaft horizontally opposite the hopper.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that the third means includes an annular flange joined to the tubular wall to rotate therewith, said annular flange having a substantially smaller inside radius of curvature than that of the tubular wall, and that the cooperating means includes an arcuate flange having an outside radius of curvature slightly smaller than the radius of curvature of the annular flange, said arcuate flange being of an angular length of greater than 90*, and baffle means joined to the hood end wall for mounting said arcuate flange closely adjacent and overlying the inner circumferential edge of the lower portion of the annular flange, said arcuate flange being of an axial length to extend a distance substantially more closely adjacent the rear wall than the annular flange.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 further characterized in that said hood includes a sump extending to a substantially lower elevation than the tubular wall, said sump having an arcuately curved bottom wall that constitutes a part of said axial wall, that said scoops have walls that extend in a direction parallel to the shaft, that said third means comprises fourth means for mountiNg said scoops for pivotal movement about axes parallel to the shaft axis to permit the scoops moving angularly across the sump bottom wall as the drum is rotated, and that said arcuate flange has a circumferential edge that is axially more closely adjacent the hood end wall than the annular flange and is spaced from the hood end wall by a dimension that is greater than one-half of the dimension of one of said scoop walls in the direction parallel to the shaft.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 further characterized in that the fourth means includes a generally planar baffle plate having a front edge fixedly attached to the hood end wall at about the elevation of the hopper inlet, said baffle plate being inclined downwardly in a direction toward the rear wall and having a rear edge located axially more closely adjacent the rear wall than said annular flange.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14 further characterized in that said arcuately curved bottom wall is curved about an axis at a lower elevation than the shaft axis and substantially horizontally offset therefrom in a direction opposite the hopper.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 further characterized in that said sump has a linear wall portion that constitutes a part of said axial wall, said linear wall portion being joined to said arcuately curved wall portion, inclined upwardly and at least in part being vertically beneath the hopper.
 18. The apparatus of claim 13 further characterized in that said annular flange has an outside diameter substantially greater than the outside diameter of the tubular wall, and that said hood end wall has an inlet port at a substantially lower elevation than the hopper outlet, and that there is provided a feed chute attached to the lower portion of the hood for feeding material through said inlet port into the interior of the hood.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18 further characterized in that there is provided a closure mounted on the hood end wall for selectively blocking the discharge chute inlet, and that said baffle has a terminal edge horizontal opposite the hopper that is substantially angularly spaced from the discharge chute to permit material moved by the scoops to an elevation above the discharge chute inlet to fall onto said baffle when the closure is blocking the discharge chute inlet.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 further characterized in that said third means comprises a second annular flange that is axially adjacent the hood end wall, said scoops extending between and being fixedly attached to said annular flanges, and that said second annular flange has cutouts to permit material flowing through said port to a location axially between said annular flanges.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 further characterized in that said baffle includes a second arcuate section extending between said hopper and discharge chute inlet and closely adjacent the path of movement of the scoops radially between the shaft and axial wall to block the flow of material to a lower level as the scoops move angularly toward the discharge chute inlet.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21 further characterized in that the hopper includes a first generally planar inclined plate parallel to the shaft axis and inclined downwardly to extend progressively further away from a vertical plane intermediate the shaft and the plate and parallel to the shaft axis, the upper portion of said first plate being horizontally intermediate a part of the arcuate baffle section and the shaft.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22 further characterized in that said hopper includes a second vertical plate, said second plate being perpendicular to the shaft axis and extending horizontal between the first plate upper edge and the horizontal opposite part of the arcuate baffle section and being axially on the opposite side of the hood end wall from the first plate, and having a top edge at the level of the hopper inlet, said hopper outlet being axially intermediate the hood end wall and the second plate and having a lower edge defined by sAid first plate.
 24. The apparatus of claim 22 further characterized in that a plurality of angularly spaced, elongated, inclined trough means are mounted in the tubular wall to rotate therewith for conveying material within the drum rearwardly as the drum rotates after the drum is partially filled, said first trough means each including a first-trough front-end portion axially adjacent said opposite end of the tubular wall and radially spaced from the tubular wall and a first rear-end portion further axially remote from the first front-end portion, each trough having a portion intermediate its end portions more radially closely adjacent the shaft than the front-end portion.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24 further characterized in that there is provided a plurality of elongated, inclined second trough means for conveying material axially forwardly in the drum as the drum rotates, each of said second trough means including a front-end portion and a rear-end portion radially adjacent the tubular wall and a discharge end portion axially intermediate the hood and the rear wall, each second trough means having a portion intermediate its end portions more radially closely adjacent the shaft than its rear-end portion.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25 further characterized in that each trough front-end portion is angularly rearwardly of the trough rear-end portion in said given angular direction and that each second trough means front-end portion is angularly in advance of its rear-end portion.
 27. In a machine for mixing particulate material, a frame, an elongated horizontal shaft mounted on said frame, a drum having a tubular wall and a rear-end wall mounted on said shaft to revolve about the shaft axis, means connected to said drum for drivingly rotating said drum in a given angular direction, said drum having a 0* drum rotary position at the lowermost part of the drum, a stationary hood having an end wall axially spaced from the end of the tubular wall opposite said rear wall, and an axial wall enclosing the end of the drum opposite the rear wall, said shaft extending through the hood end wall, a plurality of scoops, first means for mounting said scoops axially between the tubular wall in circumferentially spaced relationship radially adjacent the hood axial wall to rotate with the drum for elevating material from the lowermost portion of the hood, said hood having an inlet opening to the lowermost portion of the hood axial wall, a feed chute exterior of the hood for directing material through the hood inlet and into the path of movement of the scoops, a discharge chute attached to said hood end wall and having an inlet radially between the path of movement of the scoops and the shaft at a substantially higher elevation than the shaft, a hopper fixedly attached to the hood radially between the path of movement of the scoops and the shaft, and angularly between the hood inlet and the discharge chute inlet in the direction the drum is driven, said hopper having an outlet opening adjacent the path of travel of the scoops and angularly in advance of the lowermost portion of the path of travel of the scoops for directing material to the scoops and an inlet at an elevation intermediate that of the discharge chute inlet and the hood inlet, means attached to the drum to rotate therewith for directing material within the drum to the hopper inlet and baffle means mounted by the hood and extending transversely above the lowermost scoops for blocking any substantial flow of material within the confines of the drum into the path of travel of the scoops other than that flowing through the hopper.
 28. The apparatus of claim 26 further characterized in that the hopper outlet is located about 40*-75* in advance of said 0* drum position.
 29. In a machine for mixing particulate material, a frame, a generally horizontal shaft mounted on said frame, a drum having a tubular wall and a rear wall mounted on said shaft to revolve about the shaft axis, Means for normally rotating the drum in a given direction, a stationary hood having an end wall at the opposite axial end of said tubular wall to enclose the opposite end of said tubular wall, hood and drum cooperating means, in part mounted by said hood, and in part by said drum to rotate therewith, for elevating material from a vertically lower position as the drum is rotated, and selectively discharging the elevated material exteriorly of said hood and alternately into the drum, said cooperating means including spiral mixing blades attached to the drum to rotate therewith for directing material in the drum toward the hood end wall, and first trough means mounted in the drum to rotate therewith for directing material in the drum toward the rear end wall after the drum is partially filled and is rotating, said trough means including a trough first front end portion radially spaced from the tubular wall to provide a clearance space to permit material in the drum being fed toward the hood by the spiral blades when the drum is in a near empty condition to allow substantially emptying the drum.
 30. The apparatus of claim 29 further characterized in that said trough means comprises a plurality of elongated, inclined, circumferentially-spaced troughs, each trough having a rear-end portion and a front-end portion that in the direction of normal rotation of the drum is substantially angularly more rearwardly than the rear-end portion.
 31. The apparatus of claim 30 further characterized in that the spiral blades have one end portion axially adjacent the hood and that the cooperating means comprises a hopper fixedly attached to the hood and having an outlet, and an inlet adjacent the one end portions of the spiral blades to receive material elevated thereby, said hopper outlet being a substantial angular distance in advance of the lowermost portion of the drum, and scoop means attached to the drum to rotate therewith for receiving material discharged through the hopper outlet and elevating the received material as the drum rotates.
 32. The apparatus of claim 31 further characterized in that the cooperating means comprises a baffle fixedly attached to the hood, said baffle having an inclined plate that overhangs the substantial angular part of the lower part of the path of travel of the scoops and is inclined downwardly in a direction toward the rear wall and that there is provided second trough means mounted in the drum to rotate therewith for conveying material axially forwardly, said second trough means having a discharge end portion axially intermediate about one-half the axial length of the tubular wall and said tubular wall opposite end.
 33. The apparatus of claim 29 further characterized in that said first trough means includes a trough first rear-end portion and an intermediate portion between its end portions that is radially more closely adjacent the shaft than the trough first front-end portion and a substantial distance axially rearwardly of the first front-end portion.
 34. The apparatus of claim 33 further characterized in that there is provided second trough means mounted in the drum to rotate therewith for conveying material axially forwardly in the drum as the drum rotates in said given angular direction, said second trough means including a second rear-end portion radially adjacent the tubular wall and axially between the rear wall and the first rear-end portion, and a second front-end portion located substantially closer to the hood than the second rear-end portion.
 35. The apparatus of claim 34 further characterized in that the first front-end portion is located a substantial angular distance rearwardly of the first rear-end portion in said given angular direction, and that the second rear-end portion is angularly rearwardly of the second front end portion in said given angular direction.
 36. The apparatus of claim 35 further characterized in that each trough means includes an elongated inclined planar plate having a trailing edge, the direction of eloNgation of the inclined plate being predominantly in an axial direction, and an elongated leg joined to the trailing edge of said plate, the width of said leg being less than the width of said plate. 